Gov court case vocav

What was the background of Marbury v. Madison?

William Marbury sued to get his judicial commission, which was not delivered by James Madison.

What constitutional principle was established in Marbury v. Madison?

Article III – Judicial Review.

What was the decision in Marbury v. Madison?

The Court ruled the Judiciary Act of 1789 unconstitutional and did not force Madison to deliver the commission.

Why did the Court rule that way in Marbury v. Madison?

It established judicial review, letting the Court strike down unconstitutional laws.

What was the background of McCulloch v. Maryland?

Maryland tried to tax the national bank, and McCulloch refused to pay.

What constitutional principles were in McCulloch v. Maryland?

Necessary and Proper Clause; Supremacy Clause.

What was the decision in McCulloch v. Maryland?

Congress could create a national bank, and Maryland couldn’t tax it.

Why did the Court rule that way in McCulloch v. Maryland?

Federal laws are supreme, and Congress has implied powers.

What was the background of Schenck v. United States?

Schenck handed out anti-draft leaflets and was arrested under the Espionage Act.

What constitutional principle was established in Schenck v. United States?

First Amendment – Freedom of Speech.

What was the decision in Schenck v. United States?

The Court upheld his conviction and limited speech during wartime.

Why did the Court rule that way in Schenck v. United States?

Speech causing a 'clear and present danger' is not protected.

What was the background of Brown v. Board of Education?

Black students were denied entry into white public schools.

What constitutional principle was established in Brown v. Board of Education?

14th Amendment – Equal Protection Clause.

What was the decision in Brown v. Board of Education?

Segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.

Why did the Court rule that way in Brown v. Board of Education?

'Separate but equal' schools are inherently unequal.

What was the background of Baker v. Carr?

Tennessee had not redrawn districts, causing unequal representation.

What constitutional principle was established in Baker v. Carr?

14th Amendment – Equal Protection Clause.

What was the decision in Baker v. Carr?

Courts can rule on redistricting cases.

Why did the Court rule that way in Baker v. Carr?

'One person, one vote' ensures equal representation.

What was the background of Engel v. Vitale?

A school required students to say a voluntary prayer.

What constitutional principle was established in Engel v. Vitale?

First Amendment – Establishment Clause.

What was the decision in Engel v. Vitale?

School-sponsored prayer is unconstitutional.

Why did the Court rule that way in Engel v. Vitale?

Government cannot promote religion, even with voluntary prayer.

What was the background of Gideon v. Wainwright?

Gideon was denied a lawyer in state court because it wasn’t a capital case.

What constitutional principle was established in Gideon v. Wainwright?

6th Amendment – Right to Counsel; 14th Amendment – Due Process.

What was the decision in Gideon v. Wainwright?

States must provide lawyers for criminal defendants.

Why did the Court rule that way in Gideon v. Wainwright?

The right to a fair trial includes legal help, even in state courts.

What was the background of Tinker v. Des Moines?

Students wore black armbands to protest the Vietnam War and were suspended.

What constitutional principle was established in Tinker v. Des Moines?

First Amendment – Freedom of Speech.

What was the decision in Tinker v. Des Moines?

The armbands were protected symbolic speech.

Why did the Court rule that way in Tinker v. Des Moines?

Students don’t lose rights at school unless they cause disruption.

What was the background of New York Times Co. v. United States?

The government tried to stop newspapers from publishing the Pentagon Papers.

What constitutional principle was established in New York Times Co. v. United States?

First Amendment – Freedom of the Press.

What was the decision in New York Times Co. v. United States?

The government couldn’t stop the papers from publishing.

Why did the Court rule that way in New York Times Co. v. United States?

The publication didn’t cause a real national security threat.

What was the background of Wisconsin v. Yoder?

Amish families didn’t want to send their kids to high school for religious reasons.

What constitutional principle was established in Wisconsin v. Yoder?

First Amendment – Free Exercise Clause.

What was the decision in Wisconsin v. Yoder?

The Amish could stop school after 8th grade.

Why did the Court rule that way in Wisconsin v. Yoder?

Religious freedom outweighed the state's interest in schooling.

What was the background of Roe v. Wade?

'Jane Roe' challenged a Texas law banning abortion.

What constitutional principle was established in Roe v. Wade?

14th Amendment – Right to Privacy through Due Process.

What was the decision in Roe v. Wade?

Women can get abortions in the first trimester.

Why did the Court rule that way in Roe v. Wade?

The right to privacy includes medical choices like abortion.

What was the background of Shaw v. Reno?

North Carolina drew a strangely shaped, racially gerrymandered district.

What constitutional principle was established in Shaw v. Reno?

14th Amendment – Equal Protection Clause.

What was the decision in Shaw v. Reno?

Race cannot be the only factor in drawing districts.

Why did the Court rule that way in Shaw v. Reno?

Racial gerrymandering violates equal protection.

What was the background of United States v. Lopez?

A student was arrested for bringing a gun to school under a federal law.

What constitutional principle was established in United States v. Lopez?

Commerce Clause.

What was the decision in United States v. Lopez?

The federal law was unconstitutional.

Why did the Court rule that way in United States v. Lopez?

Guns in schools don’t relate to interstate commerce.

What was the background of McDonald v. Chicago?

McDonald challenged a handgun ban in Chicago.

What constitutional principle was established in McDonald v. Chicago?

2nd Amendment; 14th Amendment – Incorporation.

What was the decision in McDonald v. Chicago?

The right to bear arms applies to the states.

Why did the Court rule that way in McDonald v. Chicago?

The 2nd Amendment is a fundamental right protected by the 14th.

What was the background of Citizens United v. FEC?

Citizens United wanted to air a political movie close to an election.

What constitutional principle was established in Citizens United v. FEC?

First Amendment – Freedom of Speech.

What was the decision in Citizens United v. FEC?

Corporations and unions can spend unlimited money on political ads.

Why did the Court rule that way in Citizens United v. FEC?

Political spending is a form of protected speech.